Boulder County government is asking the public to share their opinion with the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on regulations to improve air quality.
In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reclassified the Front Range as a “severe” violator of federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone. In response, the state’s Air Quality Control Commission is considering regulations proposed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reduce air pollution.
Unlike the protective layer of ozone in the upper stratosphere, ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant that can permanently damage lungs and worsen lung conditions like asthma. Children, older people, those with lung conditions and those who work outdoors are especially vulnerable to the pollutant.
Emissions from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, oil and gas refineries and chemical plants cause ground-level ozone. Because of the Front Range’s ozone nonattainment issues, Colorado is charged with developing plans to achieve better ozone standards.
Boulder County said in a release that it believes the proposed air quality plans should be more aggressive. In a pre-hearing statement signed by Boulder County, Broomfield, Lafayette, Aurora, Denver and Colorado Communities for Climate Action, the local governments outline suggestions for stronger action.
The county added that these measures are even more urgent after the state health department recently acknowledged that it had underestimated emissions from oil and gas drilling and fracking operations. The county calls for a plan to better protect the health of Coloradans, especially communities of color and low-income communities that are disproportionately hurt by the health impacts of air pollution.
“The air we breathe affects each and every one of us, and the time for strong action is now,” Boulder County Commissioner Matt Jones said in a statement. “The effects of air pollution and, in turn, the climate crisis, are personal to me and many others in Boulder County.”
A rulemaking hearing on the possible regulations, with an opportunity for public testimony, is scheduled Dec. 13-16. The state’s air quality commission is currently accepting written public comments due no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 29, which can be emailed to [email protected].
Boulder County plans to give testimony at the December hearing as part of the Local Government Coalition. The county in partnership with other local governments and Colorado Communities for Climate Action sent a comment letter to council asking for more aggressive mitigation actions in July, reflected in the pre-hearing statement submitted at the end of October.
The release said that it’s “highly doubtful” that any measures will be added at the upcoming hearing.
